Portable auditory testing system and method for enhancing the capability of a portable auditory testing device

Abstract

A portable auditory testing system ( 170 ) and a method ( 400 ) for enhancing capability of a portable auditory testing device ( 120 ) are described herein. The portable auditory testing device ( 120 ) and a mobile handheld device ( 130 ) may be physically coupled together. The portable auditory testing device ( 120 ) may be communicatively coupled to the mobile handheld device ( 130 ) via a communication link so that the portable auditory testing device ( 120 ) and the mobile handheld device ( 130 ) may operate as a single unit. The mobile handheld device ( 130 ) may provide the portable auditory testing device ( 120 ) with a graphical user interface ( 820 ), and a database ( 830 ) operable to store information associated with at least one subject.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In an auditory testing environment, wherein a portable testing device is operable to test the hearing of a subject, a method for enhancing the capability of the portable testing device, the method comprising: 
 providing a portable handheld device, the portable handheld device comprising: 
 a graphical user interface;  
 a database operable to store information associated with at least one subject; and  
 a controller operatively coupled to the graphical user interface and the database;  
 the controller being programmed to control the first portable device via the  
   communication link; and    communicatively coupling the portable testing device to the portable handheld device via a communication link so that the portable testing device and the portable handheld device operate as a single portable auditory testing unit.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of communicatively coupling the portable testing device to the portable handheld device via a communication link so that the portable testing device and the portable handheld device operate as a single portable auditory testing unit comprises communicatively coupling the portable testing device to the portable handheld device via a wired link so that the portable testing device and the portable handheld device operate as a single portable auditory testing unit, wherein the wired link is a cable.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of communicatively coupling the portable testing device to the portable handheld device via a communication link so that the portable testing device and the portable handheld device operate as a single portable auditory testing unit comprises communicatively coupling the portable testing device to the portable handheld device via a wireless link so that the portable testing device and the portable handheld device operate as a single portable auditory testing unit, wherein the portable testing device and the portable handheld device operate in accordance with a wireless communication protocol.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface comprises one of a color liquid-crystal display (LCD) and a touch-sensitive screen.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the database comprises a database operable to store hearing test data associated with at least one subject.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of communicatively coupling the portable testing device and the portable handheld device to a network element via a communication link, wherein the network element is one of a printer, a monitor, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a management information system, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of communicatively coupling the portable testing device and the portable handheld device to a network element via a wireless link, wherein the wireless link operates in accordance with one of a Bluetooth based communication protocol and an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 based communication protocol.  
     
     
         8 . In an auditory testing environment, wherein a portable auditory testing device is operable to test the hearing of a subject, a method for retrofitting the portable auditory testing device, the method comprising: 
 providing the portable auditory testing device within a first carrying member;    providing a mobile handheld device within a second carrying member;    physically coupling the first carrying member and the second carrying member together;    communicatively coupling the portable auditory testing device to the mobile handheld device via a first communication link so that the mobile handheld device is operable to control the portable auditory testing device for a hearing test;    communicatively coupling the portable auditory testing device and the mobile handheld device to a network element via a second communication link;    providing a user-input device within the mobile handheld device;    providing a graphical user interface within the mobile handheld device to view information associated with at least one subject; and    providing a database within the mobile handheld device to store information associated with at least one subject.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of providing the portable auditory testing device within a first carrying member comprises providing the portable auditory testing device within one of a carry case, a holster, a carry sleeve, and a carry pouch.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of physically coupling the first carrying member and the second carrying member together comprises physically coupling the first carrying member and the second carrying member together via a plurality of Velcro-like material strips, wherein at least one of the plurality of Velcro-like material strips is disposed on each of the first and second carrying members.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of communicatively coupling the portable auditory testing device to the mobile handheld device via a first communication link so that the mobile handheld device is operable to control the portable auditory testing device for a hearing test comprises communicatively coupling the portable auditory testing device to the mobile handheld device via one of a wired link and a wireless link so that the mobile handheld device is operable to control the portable auditory device for a hearing test.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of communicatively coupling the portable auditory testing device and the mobile handheld device to a network element via a second communication link comprises communicatively coupling the portable auditory testing device and the mobile handheld device to one of a printer, a monitor, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a management information system, and a personal digital assistant (PDA) via a second communication link.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of communicatively coupling the portable auditory testing device and the mobile handheld device to a network element via a second communication link comprises communicatively coupling the portable auditory testing device and the mobile handheld device to a network element via one of a wired link and a wireless link.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of providing a user-input device within the mobile handheld device comprises providing an alphanumeric keypad within the mobile handheld device.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of providing a graphical user interface within the mobile handheld device comprises providing one of a color liquid-crystal display (LCD) and a touch-sensitive screen within the mobile handheld device.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step providing a database within the mobile handheld device to store information associated with at least one subject comprises providing a database within the mobile handheld device to store hearing test data associated with at least one subject.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the mobile handheld device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).  
     
     
         18 . A portable auditory testing system comprising: 
 a carrying member;    a portable auditory testing device disposed in the carrying member, the portable auditory testing device being operable to test the hearing of a subject; and    a mobile handheld device physically coupled to the carrying member via a fastener, the mobile handheld device being in communication with the portable auditory testing device via a communication link, and the mobile handheld device comprising:    a graphical user interface;    a database adapted to store information associated with at least one subject; and    a controller operatively coupled to the graphical user interface and the user input interface, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,    the controller being programmed to operate the portable auditory testing device via the communication link.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the carrying member is one of a carry case, a holster, a carry sleeve, and a carry pouch.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the carrying member comprises a first strap loop and a second strap loop, the first and second strap loops being operable to couple a strap.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the mobile handheld device is one of a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a cellular telephone.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the communication link is one of a wired link and a wireless link.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the mobile handheld device operates in accordance with one of a Bluetooth based communication protocol and an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 based communication protocol.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the graphical user interface is one of a color liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch-sensitive screen.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the database is a database adapted to store hearing test data associated with at least one subject.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the fastener is a plurality of Velcro-like material strips, wherein at least one of the plurality of Velcro-like material strips is disposed on each of the carrying member and the mobile handheld device.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the communication link is a first communication link, and wherein the mobile handheld device is communication with a network element via a second communication link, the network element being one of a printer, a monitor, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a management information system, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the fastener is a first fastener, and wherein the carrying member comprises a second fastener, the second fastener being one of a belt loop, a belt clip, and a hook.  
     
     
         29 . A system for testing the hearing of a patient, the system comprising: 
 a first carrying member having a front portion;    a second carrying member having a rear portion, the second carrying member being physically coupled to the first carrying member via a plurality of Velcro-like material strips, at least one of the plurality of Velcro-like material strips is disposed on each of the front portion of the first carrying member and the rear portion of the second carrying member;    a portable auditory testing device disposed within the first carrying member, the portable auditory testing device being operable to test the hearing of a patient; and    a mobile handheld device disposed within the second carrying member, the mobile handheld device being in communication with the portable auditory testing device via a cable, and the mobile handheld device comprising:    a liquid crystal display;    a user input device;    a database adapted to store hearing test data associated with at least one patient; and    a controller operatively coupled to the liquid crystal display, the user input device, and the database, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,    the controller being programmed to operate the portable auditory testing device via the cable between the portable auditory testing device and the mobile handheld device.